Veteran Resources

Looking to Reconnect with your Friends, Classmates, and the Community at NVCC?

Thousands of students have walked the halls, taken classes, and earned either degrees or certificates from Naugatuck Valley Community College. For some, it was the start of a new career. For others it was a stepping stone to an advanced degree. For all, it was a path to a more secure future.
The NVCC Alumni Association is looking to fellow students who graduated or took classes at Naugatuck Valley Community College, Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College, Mattatuck Community College or Waterbury State Technical College inviting them to join the NVCC Alumni Association.
We are here to help you:

How to Become a Member

Become a Member Today!

Membership in the alumni association is free! All graduates of Naugatuck Valley Community College, Mattatuck Community College or Waterbury State Technical College degree and certificate programs and those students who have left the college(s) in good standing are considered alumni and eligible for membership. Join now and take advantage of all the College Programs and Benefits that are available to you and your family.

Join the Alumni Association – When you register with the Alumni Association you can stay up-to-date with campus happenings, alumni offerings and events. There are two ways to join:

Alumni Spotlight

Chris Collibee

News Assignment Editor, WFSB Channel 3 Eyewitness News

“My first year at Naugatuck Valley brought me to a journalism class and The Tamarack newspaper. It was here I began to learn the art of journalism: how to enterprise stories, how to dig stories out and what happens when you make a simple mistake, like..."

NVCC Alumni Spotlight: Chris Collibee

Chris graduated in 1997 from Amity High School in Woodbridge before attending Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he took an associate degree in general studies in 1999. At the College, he was the editor-in-chief of The Tamarack and a member of the Student Senate.

He transferred to the University of Connecticut where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2002. His hobbies include hiking, kayaking, winter camping, traveling and being a “political and news geek.”

Chris works at WFSB Channel 3 Eyewitness News in Rocky Hill, where he is the news assignment editor. He is responsible for a variety of things in the newsroom, including generating story ideas, setting up stories, researching stories for news crews in the field and working with CNN and CBS news on national stories that have Connecticut angles.

“At any moment in my day, I can go from working on a story about puppies to working on a massive mill fire that is affecting multiple towns,” said Chris. “I never know what my day will have in store for me, which is the fun thing about what I do. If something happens in Connecticut, I am among the first to know about it. I have had a front row seat for some of Connecticut’s biggest news stories of the last decade, from Gov. John Rowland’s resignation to Connecticut allowing same-sex marriages. I have been here on Channel 3’s assignment desk moving crews around the state and making sure our viewers find out what is going on in their state.”

Chris said that studying at NVCC helped him get started in a career.

“When I came to Naugatuck Valley Community College in the fall of 1997, I was a scared 17-year-old who, like many other youngsters, did not know what my future would bring,” said Chris. “My first year at Naugatuck Valley brought me to a journalism class and The Tamarack newspaper. It was here I began to learn the art of journalism: how to enterprise stories, how to dig stories out and what happens when you make a simple mistake, like transposing a digit in a phone number. Over my two years at NVCC, I spent many late evenings working on the newspaper, frequently being at the College all weekend long before we could put an issue to print. When I graduated from Naugatuck Valley, I knew I was prepared to take on the next challenge at UConn’s journalism program. From UConn, I made my way to the top- rated TV station in the state, where I proudly work today. But it wouldn’t have happened without some of the great professors and fellow students I worked with back in Waterbury at Naugatuck Valley Community College.”

Mauricio Pita-Goncalves

Actor, Dancer and Singer

“Before Mauricio became a student of mine, I saw him in theatre productions at our College,” said Elena Rusnak, professor of English and dance at Naugatuck Valley Community College. “I was drawn to this remarkable young man because he filled the stage with energy, passion and focus. His seriousness of purpose is always recognizable and his determination..."

NVCC Alumni Spotlight: Maria Arcari

Mauricio Pita-Goncalves, a 2009 graduate of the visual and performing arts theatre and dance program at Naugatuck Valley Community College, and former vice-president of the College’s Student Government Association, was accepted into Yale University's 2009 Summer Conservatory for Actors at the Yale School of Drama.

The highly selective program chooses only 30 students out of thousands of applicants worldwide. The conservatory only selects academically and artistically strong students who are willing to explore new concepts in a challenging environment by working with Yale alumni, faculty and theatre professionals as well as in workshops at the O'Neill Theatre Center and one-on-one classwork.

“Before Mauricio became a student of mine, I saw him in theatre productions at our College,” said Elena Rusnak, professor of English and dance at Naugatuck Valley Community College. “I was drawn to this remarkable young man because he filled the stage with energy, passion and focus. His seriousness of purpose is always recognizable and his determination unsurpassed by any student I have had in my long teaching career.”

The program is an intensive conservatory based on the principles of Stanislavski and focuses on the personal and professional growth of its participants. The conservatory consists of six different elements of acting which include: play analysis, acting class, voice and speech, improvisation and mask, movement and scene study. Patrick Diamond, director of the Yale Summer Conservatory for Actors, has worked extensively on Broadway, in Italy and in the U.S.

Mauricio has received awards including Outstanding Theatre Artist: Student of the Year 2007-08, the Who’s Who Among American Junior College Students, the Billie Mae Collier Scholarship for the Performing Arts – Voice and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and National Scholars honor societies. He has worked extensively as an actor with the New Zenith Theatre, the Warner Theater in Torrington, Connecticut and the Terpsichorean Dance Ensemble. He appeared in the summer of 2008 at the New York International Fringe Festival’s New York premiere of Symphony Pastorale and Fugue Series by Los Angeles playwright Robert Barnett. Following his Yale work, Mauricio will attend Marymount Manhattan College as a drama major in fall 2009.

Natalie Testa

Owner, Ragtime Boutique, Watertown

Natalie is the owner of a 26-year-old business, Ragtime Boutique in Watertown, which she purchased in 1999. Her business serves as the official wardrobe sponsor to Miss Connecticut to whom she has donated several gowns and outfits throughout the year as well as helping to prepare Miss Connecticut for the Miss America Pageant.

NVCC Alumni Spotlight: Natalie Testa

Natalie is the owner of a 26 year old business, Ragtime Boutique in Watertown, which she purchased in 1999. Her business serves as the offcial wardrobe sponsor to Miss Connecticut to whom she has donated several gowns and outfits throughout the year as well as helping to prepare Miss Connecticut for the Miss America Pageant.

She served as the business manager to Miss Connecticut from 2003 to 2005 and continues to serve as the official Miss Connecticut spokesperson for Chaz and A.J in the morning on 99.1 WPLR. She volunteers throughout the year to collect used prom dresses for girls affliated with Waterbury Youth Services for their "Perfect Prom Project." In 2008, she helped to make the dreams of more than 40 girls come true, providing them with dresses for their proms. For the past two years, she also collected used prom dresses for girls who were victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Her business was voted “Best on a Budget” for bridal wear in New England by The Knot magazine and "Best Prom Dress" for 2008 by the The Waterbury Observer.

Natalie graduated from NVCC’s predecessor, Mattatuck Community College, in 1990 with an associate of science in marketing. While at the College, she served as president of the Marketing Club and was the Northwest Regional Director of the Connecticut Student Association. As a director, she represented the College in Washington, D.C., lobbying for student Pell grants. She was nominated by Bill Polvent of the College and published in Who's Who of American Junior Colleges in 1990. She completed her college education, graduating from Teikyo Post University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in fashion and merchandising. Natalie is also the recipient of the “Recognition of Service” award in 2005 given by the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization.

Prior to opening her own business, she was assistant manager of Talbot’s while attending college and worked for Uni/Temps Uni/Search Human Resources as a temporary and permanent placement specialist. She was a product manager and liaison to the Walt Disney Company for the Waterbury Garment Corporation.

She also participated in the College’s Kids on Campus program, supervising the fashion classes for the one-week term held for children in grades 4 through 10. She enjoys tap dancing at the Performer’s Edge in Watertown and rides her own custom Harley-Davidson Sportster.

Robert J. Kane

State Senator, D-32

Senator Kane, a long-time resident of Watertown, was elected to represent the 32nd Senatorial District in a special election on January 15, 2008 and was re-elected in November 2008.

NVCC Alumni Spotlight: Robert J. Kane

Senator Kane, a long-time resident of Watertown, was elected to represent the 32nd Senatorial District in a special election on January 15, 2008 and was re-elected in November 2008. In addition to Watertown, his district includes the communities of Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston and Woodbury. Senator Kane, who is serving his fourth term as a member of the Watertown Town Council, is a proud husband and father, a successful business owner, and an active member of the community. His priority as a State Senator is to advocate for the issues that are important to Connecticut, especially to the people living in the 32nd District.

His priorities include creating and retaining jobs by enacting pro-business and pro-worker legislation, such as expanding a new tax credit program to benefit all Connecticut businesses and providing the best possible education for our children and ensuring 32nd District schools receive a fair share of state education funding.

Rob is past chair of the Watertown Town Council and has served as chair of its Finance Subcommittee and founding chair of its Business Development Subcommittee. He is the founder and president of KarTele Cellular Phones in Waterbury. Presently he chairs the Wolcott Street/Lakewood Road Business Association, serves as president of the Professional Network Organization (Profnet) and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce since 1999.

He is a former board member of United Way, Waterbury Association of Retarded Citizens, and Regional Workforce Investment Board. Senator Kane is a past recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber Malcolm Baldridge Award for Volunteerism, and a past recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber Harold Webster Smith Small Business Award.

Rob is a graduate of Naugatuck Valley Community College (Mattatuck), Central Connecticut State University and is working toward an MBA from the University of New Haven. He and his wife, Dr. Marcy Kane, are the proud parents of Aidan and Deana.

What is the difference between an Official and Unofficial transcript?

Official transcripts are prepared by a college bearing their official seal and provided in a sealed envelope. If the envelope is opened by anyone other than an official at the receiving college, it is no longer considered official.

Unofficial transcripts is a record of college classes taken including grades received. The document can be produced by the college or student, but does not have a raised college seal. It may also be a transcript that bears the official seal, but is not in the original sealed envelope. These transcripts can be emailed or faxed to NVCC.

How do I know what kind of transcript is needed?

To Waive Placement Testing or Prerequisite Requirements (Unofficial transcript accepted)
Unofficial college transcripts may be submitted to waive placement testing and prerequisite requirements. Contact the respective college to request your transcript. These transcripts may be emailed to transcripts4admissions@nv.edu or faxed to 203-596-8766.

To transfer credits to NVCC (Official transcript needed)
An official college transcript is required to assess if your courses are eligible for transfer towards your NVCC degree or certificate. Contact the respective college to request your official transcript or CollegeBoard.org to transfer AP credits. Transcripts are only considered official when received in the original sealed envelope. Transcripts may be sent from the college directly to the Admissions Office.

What if my college credits were earned overseas?

If your college credits were earned overseas, you must get the transcripts professionally evaluated by World Education Services www.wes.org or another evaluation services in order for transfer credit to be considered.

What is the difference between an Official and Unofficial transcript?

Official transcripts are prepared by a college bearing their official seal and provided in a sealed envelope. If the envelope is opened by anyone other than an official at the receiving college, it is no longer considered official.

Unofficial transcripts is a record of college classes taken including grades received. The document can be produced by the college or student, but does not have a raised college seal. It may also be a transcript that bears the official seal, but is not in the original sealed envelope. These transcripts can be emailed or faxed to NVCC.

How do I know what kind of transcript is needed?

To Waive Placement Testing or Prerequisite Requirements (Unofficial transcript accepted)
Unofficial college transcripts may be submitted to waive placement testing and prerequisite requirements. Contact the respective college to request your transcript. These transcripts may be emailed to transcripts4admissions@nv.edu or faxed to 203-596-8766.

To transfer credits to NVCC (Official transcript needed)
An official college transcript is required to assess if your courses are eligible for transfer towards your NVCC degree or certificate. Contact the respective college to request your official transcript or CollegeBoard.org to transfer AP credits. Transcripts are only considered official when received in the original sealed envelope. Transcripts may be sent from the college directly to the Admissions Office.

For students born after December 31, 1956: Connecticut State Law requires that all full-time (degree seeking and non-degree/non-matriculating) and part-time matriculating students enrolled in post-secondary schools be adequately protected against measles, mumps and rubella. Beginning August 1, 2010 all full-time and matriculating students, except those born in the continental United States prior to January 1, 1980 must provide proof of immunization against Varicella (chicken pox). Student must have two (2) doses of each vaccine administered at least one (1) month apart to insure adequate immunization.

History

The Lab School at Naugatuck Valley Community College, which was then Mattatuck Community College, opened its doors in January 1977 to provide a training laboratory for early childhood education majors at the college as well as a quality educational environment for young children ages 3 - 6.

Initial set-up

The initial set-up of the center included one large preschool. Today there are three classrooms, including two preschools, one with an integrated Kindergarten component, a toddler class.

Enrollment

The enrollment of the center includes children of staff, faculty, students and the local community.

School readiness

In 1998, the Lab School received a school readiness grant from the state of Connecticut, expanding it’s role in the community through collaboration with the Waterbury School System. There are currently 20 full-time children who attend year-round under the umbrella of Waterbury School Readiness.

Model school

The Lab School has evolved through the years to become a nationally accredited, high-quality model school that serves as the training ground for approximately 40 early childhood education students per year as well as students in other related disciplines, such as psychology, English and nursing.

Reggio Emilia approach

The Lab School is the only training facility in the state to incorporate the Reggio Emilia approach into its teacher preparation program as well as fully utilize the approach in the classrooms with young children.